Replies to reviews

vrskaandrea: Thank you for the review

SilverDragonflymoon: Thank you for the review. I loved writing Cas, Jack and Michael in the last chapter.

Michael stares at his brother with a look of disbelief. Gabriel fidgets under his brother's gaze. The younger archangel laughs nervously.

"Yeah I know shocker I didn't see it coming either. I was sure I killed him."

"He's...alive." Michael stuttered .

"I thought he was dead!" Dean says.

Michael felt the hunter stir in his mind. It is the first time Dean spoke since Michael took control. Michael felt he should give Dean control but this is a family situation. Dean helps Sam so Dean should understand that Michael needs to be in control to help Gabriel. Dean didn't fight for control. As a big brother he understood that Michael needed to be physically in the room for this. This is Loki the one who sold Gabriel to Asmodeus. He is the reason why Gabriel suffered for all them years. Gabriel needs his big brother here for support. Dean knew this topic is going to start affecting the younger archangel emotionally.

"I was so certain he was dead." Gabriel mumbled himself.

Michael is boiling with rage. He wanted to yell at his brother. He failed to kill the Pagan God. This wasn't just a Pagan God. This is Loki the Trickster. He is the master of mischief. He can get himself out of situations easily. Gabriel faked his death to Lucifer and AU Michael. He learnt that from the Trickster God himself. If Gabriel was able to escape death then so can Loki.

The older archangel felt the anger leave him and concern rose inside him.

"Gabriel. I'm so sorry."

He reaches out but Gabriel pulls away.

"No. No we're not doing that. This isn't about me. Well it probably is about me that bastard still has a grudge against me." He takes a deep breath to calm himself down. "He...He took Rowena."

"The witch?" Michael wrinkled his nose with disgust. "The one you been getting intimate with."

"He knows I have a thing for her. He took her hoping to get a reaction from me. Guess what it worked." He glares at the ceiling. "YOU DID A FANTASTIC JOB LOKI!" He clenched his fists. "He has pissed me off." Michael I wanna hunt him down and make sure he is dead for real this time. "

"You originally intended on doing it alone?' Michael glared.

" I wasn't at first gonna tell you. Ketch kinda talked me into it. He thinks you would a key ally to this rescue mission. "

"Ketch is right." Michael looks at his brother in a disapproving manner. Gabriel groaned. When Michael does this that means he is going to give one of his long boring ass lectures. "Gabriel I can't believe it took a human to convince you to come to me. I am your brother. Your older brother. When you are in trouble you are supposed to come to me. Its my job to protect you." Gabriel scoffs at that. "No don't laugh this is serious. Loki is back and you were going to keep that from me."

"Its personal brother."

"Personal? Gabriel I am your family you do not have to go through this alone. You went through something unimaginable. No matter how many times you say you are fine you are far from fine. The trauma it never goes away. It becomes a part of you. The cage it became a part of me." He stops to take a breath. He breathes out and continues "It's okay to ask for help. Its been proven that having someone to help you increases the chance of recovery."

"You had Dean." He barked out a laugh. "You been with him from the time you got out. Who the Hell did I have?...Huh? Answer me who did I have?"

"You have me..."

"No!" He snapped. "I never had you. I needed your help but you were never there to provide it. Don't blame the cage. You were never there even before you fell. All you cared about was impressing Daddy O who doesn't even bother to show his damm face. You and Lucifer would be arguing non-stop. It became so constant you wouldn't even notice I was in the same room as you. I could be standing right in front of your face and you still wouldn't see me. You think you were brother of the year but you won't. I don't hate you Michael but you were a dick."

There it was. The familiar guilt back and eating Michael up yet again. It upset him to see his little brother so angry at him. The archangel knew he deserved it he has been a dick he should have focused on his other siblings but instead he put his entire focus on Lucifer and God. That made Michael selfish.

"I'm sorry."

"Sorry is not gonna change anything. Yeah I looked up to you...I still do. You are a warrior. You fight wars. You are good at fighting on the battlefield and doing the physical stuff but this..." He gestures to him. "...The emotional, mental wars sorry brother but that's not you. That's your weakest area. You are better at causing destruction than healing."

Although Michael wanted to disagree it is true. He wasn't the best when it came to helping and healing others. The General in him only knew how to fight, lead armies and...cause destruction anywhere he goes. Lucifer played a part in breaking the family but Michael blamed himself for not trying to fix it. All he had on his mind was yet another battle, another fight. He formed plans, strategies but made no attempt at meeting his younger siblings emotional needs.

Michael bit his lip.

"Brother."

"You never realized we were hurting. How could I describe you back then oh um...you had a stick up your ass."

Michael frowns.

"I don't recall having a part of a tree up my backside." Gabriel closes his eyes and sighs. Then it dawned on the older archangel. "Oh that was an expression."

"Yeah no shit Sherlock I thought you would be up to date with all that considering who your vessel is."

"I am its just...it can be quite confusing at times."

The younger archangel waves him off. Gabriel felt now wasn't the time to go down that road. Rowena is out there and he needs her. First he needed to get away from his brother. He will find Ketch and Charlie and they can plan out an attack. He did it before with two humans he is sure he can do it again.

"Gabriel." Michael pleading eyes caused Gabriel to look away. "I know my behavior in Heaven is unforgivable. I was never there for you. You are right about that. That doesn't mean I don't care. I do. When I saw your death or more like deaths, it broke me." His green eyes glistened as both of his brother's fake deaths flash across his mind. "I may not show it but family means everything to me. When I found out you were alive in the other world I spent every second searching for you. You were my only priority. I am going to do better I want to do better. You, Castiel, Jack, Dean you are my family and I would do anything for my family."

Michael heard a gasp in his mind. It took Michael a few moments to realize what he said. He considered Dean as family. Dean accepted him as an ally but not family. It shocked Michael that he even said that out loud.

Michael sighs knowing he and Dean will have to talk about that later.

"Brother." Michael continued. "That Michael with the stick up his...ass is gone, this is who I am now. I am always going to be here if you need to talk." Gabriel's face twitched. His lips form into a smile. Then he started chuckling. Michael frowns. "What's so funny?"

"You said the expression and the funniest is you still have no idea what it means."

"Well no but I am sure it is something unpleasant."

Gabriel snorted.

"It means you are unpleasant. Strict, boring, no fun at all, not a joy to be around."

"Okay okay I get it." Michael sighed. "I'm fun now...right?"

"Uh...no. Gotta work on that."

Michael rolls his eyes and smiles.

Just then there is the sound of ringing. Everyone looks at the younger archangel. Gabriel puts his hand in his pocket and pulls out his phone. He presses the button and brings it to his ear.

"Hello."

"Gabriel."

Gabriel paled.

"Loki."

Michael's head snaps towards the phone. His eyes flare up and he growls.

Loki laughs.

"Long time no see Gabriel. I must say the witch is stunning. Quite a catch no wonder you fell for her."

"She is." Gabriel agreed. "As you can see she's taken. Go and get your own."

"I'm gonna hang on to her. You want her? You are gonna have to come and get her yourself. "

Gabriel sighs.

"What do you want?"

"You. We have unfinished business."

"We have." Gabriel again agreed. "You are still alive."

Loki chuckles.

"You must not be surprised. I am the Trickster."

"And a douchebag." Gabriel added. "Where are you? Tell me and I'll be right over. We can...talk, wrap things up, make sure you are dead for good."

"Aww. Look at that. Little Gabriel is threatening me. How cute."

Gabriel grits his teeth.

"You shut your mouth."

"Big talk coming from a coward like you."

Gabriel grips the phone and anger surged inside him. Michael manages to snatch the phone out of his brother's hands and puts it on speaker. He couldn't bring the phone to his ear due to his cuffs.

"Loki." Michael spoke his voice low and dangerous.

"Dean Winchester. Been a while."

"This isn't Dean. This is Michael...The Archangel Michael."

There was a pause. Then Loki let out an "Oh!" .

"Michael. I heard you got out of the cage. The news spread round like wildfire. Winchester finally said yes to you. "

"Yes he did. You can probably guess I am at my full power now. You should be very afraid."

There was a scoff.

"Aww Gabriel you got big brother standing up for you. I bet you are hiding behind Michael right now." He laughs. "Big, bad Archangel Michael oh I am SO terrified!"

Michael straightened up.

"Listen here Pagan God." He said his voice laced with venom. "I will look for you, I will find you and I will kill you."

Gabriel frowns.

"Taken seriously?"

Michael ignores him and waits for the Trickster to answer.

"You are gonna find me. I put my barriers down. I'll see you soon Mikey...Gabriel. I'll be waiting."

There was a giggle and then the call ended.

"We gotta save her." Jack says.

Michael spins round and looks at his nephew with a horrified expression.

"No. No you stay."

"Rowena is in danger, we have to help her."

"I and Gabriel will rescue her. You are staying here."

"No!" Jack stands up and glares at his uncle. "I want to help."

"It could be dangerous."

"I fought against Michael in the other world. I can take care of myself."

"That was before Lucifer took your grace."

"I still have my powers but it takes time to come back. It's a long process. Bobby has taught me some moves. If I can't go in this as a nephilim at least let me go in as a hunter."

Michael wouldn't have it. He wanted to protect his nephew not expose him to another battle. The child has already been through so much. Michael felt this fight against Loki will affect the family deeply. This is not like any other fight. This is personal.

"Michael is right." Cas says. "Hunts are okay but a Pagan God."

"Loki is the reason Gabriel is suffered. He hurt our family." Jack looks at Gabriel. "I want to have a part in making him suffer."

"If he hurt you I wouldn't forgive myself." Michael says.

"Michael." Cas says. "You can't go. Dean..."

"I want Michael to go." Dean says.

"Dean supports the mission." Michael assured his brother.

Cas sighs.

"We must inform Sam."

Michael's eyes flashed blue.

" He will stop us. "Dean says. "He will send the hunters instead. Cas, Gabriel and Michael have to do this. You know how it feels to want revenge."

"Uh Deano last time we did this you won't enthusiastic on the idea. You felt my mission was a waste of time." Gabriel pointed out.

"You are Michael's brother. If Michael wants to tear Loki apart then I say yeah go for it. Loki has Rowena we gotta save her."

"Dean." Cas shakes his head "I don't know."

"We're doing it." Dean stated firmly. He lifts his hands. "First the cuffs."

Cas hesitates.

"I really think we should call Sam or your mom. We need to plan this out."

"No time for planning brother. Loki is impatient." Gabriel says. "I don't want Rowena hurt due to his short temper."

"If that's the case I am going with you." Cas says.

"Cas we don't need babysitting." Dean sighed.

"I'm not babysitting you I am coming as back up. You did say this is about family. Gabriel is my brother so this should be my business as well."

"If Castiel can come then I'm coming to."

"No." Dean shuts Jack down. "I agree with Michael you are staying."

"He can come." Gabriel says. "The kid has a point he fought in a war. Even without his grace he can take care of himself. I have faith in him."

Jack smiles touched by those words.

Dean shakes his head.

"No I'm not having him..."

"You two need to stop being over protective. You can't keep leaving Jack behind. That's not protecting him. He has gotta be out there to learn. He is not going to improve by going on simple hunts. You gotta go bigger with him. At least let him develop into a perfect hunter then he will be twice as awesome when his powers are back." He points to himself and grins. "I gave my nephew advice. He should take advice from his favorite uncle." Dean's eyes glow and Michael was back with a scowl on his face. Gabriel chuckles. "I knew that would get you to take control. Seriously I am the best uncle." Michael glares at him for that. Gabriel smiles. "I'm gonna go and get the stakes then we'll head out."

Gabriel walks down the hallway and vanishes in their sight.

"I can't wait." Jack beamed. "We are doing this together as a family."

Michael gave a small smile but the worry showed in his eyes.

"Let's hope the bastard stays dead this time." Dean says.

"Oh he will be." Michael replied his voice full of confidence. "I will make sure of it."

His face darkens.

"He will wish he stayed dead the first time."

Ths four of them (You can include Dean as five) appear outside a warehouse.

"I will take the lead." Michael stated in a voice to say 'This is not up for discussion.'

Jack grips his stake and looks at Michael with awe. He is excited to see his uncle in action. Cas stayed by Jack's side and holds his own stake. Gabriel gestures to his older brother.

"Ladies first." Gabriel grinned.

Michael gives his brother a 'Really look.'

"Now is not the time for jokes brother."

" You do realize who we are about to face? Loki is the Joker. "

"Hmm Loki is the biggest joke in History." Michael replied.

Gabriel's eyes widen as Michael walks towards the building.

Did my brother try to be funny?

Gabriel snaps out of it when he sees Cas and Jack following behind. Gabriel straightened up and put on his most brave expression. He catches up and joins his family inside.

As soon as they stepped into the building Michael raises his hand ordering them to stop. He hears a faint cry.

"Over there." Jack says.

They all walk towards the voice. Gabriel gasps when he finds Rowena with a chain around her neck.

"Gabriel!" Rowena glares. "Took your bloody time."

Michael follows the chain down her neck all the way across the room. Gabriel approaches her.

"We're gonna get you out of here."

When his hand goes on the chain the red-headed witch turns into dust. The archangel cursed.

I'm so stupid. Of course it wouldn't be this easy.

The sound of clapping causes Gabriel to turn around.

Loki claps and his expression is smug.

"Wow Gabriel. Can't believe you fell for that."

"Where is she?" Gabriel demanded.

"Somewhere...safe. I wasn't lying when I said she was stunning. I think I may have fallen for her." Gabriel's eyes flashed with rage. Loki looks round and smiles. "I see we have some company."

"You hurt my uncle." Jack growled.

"He did that to himself. His brother killed the Pagan Gods. Lucifer killed Odin." His voice cracked as he said it. "I did everything for Gabriel and this is what I get in return. My family are dead!"

"Lucifer killed the Pagan Gods! Gabriel didn't need to suffer. It wasn't his fault!" Michael says.

"It was." Loki raises his eyebrow. "If you flip through Dean's greatest hits you might find the memory when me and him met. It's got everything in there why Gabriel is to blame."

Michael looks through and comes across the brief conversation between Loki and Dean.

"So you are Dean Winchester." Loki says.

"And you're the annoying God that we're wasting our time trying to kill." Dean replied.

"Mm. And did Gabriel tell you why he wants me dead?"

"I don't care."

" Yes, you do. Little bit. Our treatment of your friend is payback for a slight of a more personal nature. The death of my father, Odin. "

"Oh, that wasn't him. Lucifer did that."

"Ah. But why was my father there in the first place? To parlay, to deal with Gabriel's brothers. When we first made terms, I had only one condition- I would give him my face, teach him to be me, the Trickster, if he agreed to abandon the more… volatile affairs of his family. Forever. When he hit that hotel, he broke that promise, and it cost my father his life."

"The world was coming to an end."

" That never mattered to him before. Gabriel had to be punished. Odin was a salty, disagreeable bastard. Truth is… he despised me. But he was my father. I'm sure you understand. What would you do for your father? "

That conversation seemed to knock Michael off guard.

What would you do for your father?

Michael would do anything for his father because he loved him. God gave him another chance to be the perfect son. The obsession he had on wanting to impress his father...

He looks at his brothers and nephew. He remembered his conversation with Gabriel earlier. How much Michael neglected his family due to his unhealthy obsession towards Lucifer, God and waiting centuries for the Apocalypse.

The archangel closes his eyes. He is different now. Family comes first. Whatever orders Michael receives from his father he will ensure he had time with his family as well. He wasted centuries being unhappy and alone. Can't his father let him continue doing his work while being with his family at the same time?

Gabriel, Castiel and Jack all together made Michael want to reach out and hug them all. That thought caused Michael to take several steps back.

I'm going soft. He thought.

His thoughts are interrupted when Gabriel points his stake.

"Alright daddy's boy cut the crap and let's get straight down to business. We can do this the easy way or the hard way. What's it gotta be?"

Loki cocked his head and smirks.

"I'm always up for a challenge."

Michael goes to swing a punch. Loki raises his hand. Michael froze. Michael tried to fight against the restrains but he found himself stuck.

"You can't keep my brother trapped for long." Gabriel smirked. "You are just a lousy Pagan God that can only summon up a few party tricks..." His voice trailed off when Loki's eyes glowed blue. Gabriel swallowed. "Oh...you are working for him."

"I don't like you feathery assholes but me and him have a common interest." Loki smirked "I want you dead while he wants his other self dead. We thought hey why not a team up. He gave me his grace as a boost to face you yahoos on the dance floor."

"Working for him." Cas says. "You are betraying your kind. You are betraying your father."

"Do not dare say his name!" Loki flicks his wrist and Cas flies and crashes into the wall. "You do not know my father and you do not know what he wants."

Jack grips his stake and charges at the Pagan God. Loki punches Jack. Jack's head snaps back and he falls on the ground.

Now Gabriel is furious. Loki walks past the frozen older archangel and approaches Gabriel with a smirk.

"You know me Gabriel. I wouldn't put you or your family out of their misery yet. I like to have fun. I have many tricks up my sleeve."

"Seen them all." Gabriel faked a yawn.

"With the grace I managed to gain some new ones. I think you are gonna love them."

As he walks back the warehouse suddenly transforms into an auditorium. The Trickster steps on to the stage. A microphone flies across the stage and lands in his hand. He taps the microphone a few times and he clears his throat.

"Ladies and Gentlemen. Welcome..."

He grins.

"... to Loki's Playhouse."